On the early morning of December 26, 1943, Marines stationed off the coast of Japanese-held New Britain gazed at the towering silhouette of Mount Talawe as dawn approached. The tranquility of the morning was shattered by the roar of American and Australian cruisers and destroyers, their guns unleashing a hail of fire. The men of the 1st Marine Division braced themselves, awaiting the first light and the command to launch their assault on the Yellow Beaches near Cape Gloucester in the islands northwestern region. - Summary by Bernard C. Nalty